[wow, what a busy day! 15]

The fog hung in the valley, and blacker clouds loomed on the ridge, again.  

Meera woke early, disoriented by the light as the early morning sun cut underneath the fogbank for a moment, illuminating the house from every angle before climbing above the clouds and leaving just a dim path behind.

Meera kept looking for clocks, just to get her bearings on the day. She heard Dick’s truck rumble into the drive, and she slipped out to greet him. She wasn’t sure how he stayed warm, wearing only a light jacket, while she bundled up in her everpresent wool coat, feeling damp inside and out. 

“Ready for today?”

“I’m not sure I’m ready for anything. I still can’t tell what time it is. It could be half past three already and I’d not know it.”

“Tell me about it. I’ve never seen fog this thick, and three days running now.”

Meera watched the cone of light that his headlights cast, the light on her side pointing a little higher than the other. 

The fog was thick with smells, the smell of rain on the moors, only heavy, cloying.

They pulled into town, the traffic lights looking forlorn, the glow of their lights muffled and smeared. Headlights would appear before them with no car attached, then turn and disappear. 

The hospital car park was nearly empty, though it was early yet. Visitor’s hours wouldn’t start for a while still. 

Meera cut straight to the elevators, knowing the route by heart now. 

Even the busy desk was muted, the phone rang just once, and the receptionist took her time.

The door buzzed, and Sama stepped out. She wore pyjama bottoms and a faded shirt, her favorite sleepwear. She dropped the bag she carried and she ran to Meera and wrapped her arms tightly around her. 

“I’m so glad you’re here! And you must be Dick!” She dropped her arms from Meera and attacked Dick with an equally powerful hug. “Your mother is the best nurse in the ward. I like her.”

“She’s okay!” Dick looked a little surprised at the hug.

“There’s no Uncle Ram?” Sama looked at once hopeful and relieved.

“He wouldn’t come.”

Sama nodded and shrugged, and grabbed her bag.